His brushstrokes created one of the most enduring images of the Gallipoli campaign and today Hamilton will rename a central city street in his honour.

Marlborough Place will be officially renamed Sapper Moore-Jones Place in honour of soldier and renowned artist Horace Moore-Jones.

Governor-General Sir Jerry MateparaentsTnte will unveil the new street sign as well as a commemorative plaque on the wall of the former Hamilton Hotel.

Mr Moore-Jones died while rescuing others from the devastating Hamilton Hotel fire in 1922.

Theatre of the Impossible Trust (Toti) campaigned for the name-change and are also fundraising to erect a sculpture in Mr Moore-Jones' honour.

Mr Moore-Jones’ watercolour Man with the Donkey is regarded as one of the most important pieces of Australasian war art.

In 1964 Hamilton marked the 50th anniversary of Gallipoli and the city’s centennial with the first national retrospective exhibition of Mr Moore-Jones work at the Hamilton Art Gallery.

The street naming will be the first formal recognition of Mr Moore-Jones in New Zealand.

His descendants  from Auckland, Tauranga and Australia are expected to attend.

As part of the street event, Hamilton Boys’ High School students will perform extracts from Hamilton writer Campbell Smith’s play about Mr Moore-Jones.

The free performance will be at Waikato Museum at 2.30pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments